Smoking tax

[Milk man]

Missouri Prop. B will increase the tax on cigarettes. The money is supposed to go to the schools.

Why are smokers being taxed for schools. I thought that was a function of Property taxes.

I've heard Sin taxes on cigarettes justified by the tax being used to off set the higher cost of medical care of smokers without insurance. I guess that has some merit although the smokers that carry their own insurance are being screwed.

I think any Sin tax on cigarettes should be used for all smokers that get sick and not for any thing else. A kind of like government insurance.

Another justification given for higher taxes is to prevent kid form smoking. On the surface it might be true but I think it won't discourage kids enough because some will smoke no mater what the price is.

[jtrammel]

I smoke and don't mind paying higher taxes for my cigs. It's a stupid habit and it helps me to not smoke as much as I would if they were cheaper.

[carmon]

you could have to pay Canadian prices.......

[chaard]

Right now I pay about $3 a pack in Mo.

The ad for the tax hike says the cigarette companies are lying to us about where the tax money will go.
The proponents say the law would be written that any tax hike on cigarettes would go directly to schools and anti smoking campaigns.

Yeah, right!

So for the first time in history, govt is going to take tax money and send it directly to where it supposed to go.
The govt is going to do something that it has never done before, and we're supposed to believe that.

Here's a thought, why not lower spending.

Tax the poor and middle class. That's the majority that smoke.

[Milk man]

Right now I pay about $3 a pack in Mo.

The ad for the tax hike says the cigarette companies are lying to us about where the tax money will go.
The proponents say the law would be written that any tax hike on cigarettes would go directly to schools and anti smoking campaigns.

Yeah, right!

So for the first time in history, govt is going to take tax money and send it directly to where it supposed to go.
The govt is going to do something that it has never done before, and we're supposed to believe that.

Here's a thought, why not lower spending.

Tax the poor and middle class. That's the majority that smoke.


The pro Prop. B ads point fingers at the large tobacco companies. Like they are the ones that will be paying the tax. Not a mention about where the tobacco companies will be getting the money to pay those taxes.

[dna]

You should all have the determination and resolve like Obama and just quit smoking.

[2sac]

Over 10 bucks a pack in Chicago, and another dollar tax proposed. Corruption costs money. When I started smoking in the 70's a carton was under 10 bucks. I quit 14 years ago when it was around $4. You should come up here. They want to tax the electric bill to pay for more police officers and pay parents to be involved in their childs education. Once I can sell my house without taking a loss you'd better believe I'm moving the hell out.

[Milk man]

You should all have the determination and resolve like Obama and just quit smoking.

I don't smoke and I don't live in Missouri.

[Twoholing]

Sure glad I quit 6 months ago.. 2sac is right, its about 10 bucks per pack in the city of Chicago, was about 6-7 bucks outside of Chicago when I quit.

Its nice to have the extra cash in my bank account from not smoking.. I never noticed how much it really added up to!

[royc]

I stopped smoking cigs about 2 years or so ago and went electric, its called vaping. Now mind you I started smoking at the age of 14 and stopped at 66. I could not believe the difference that this electric vaping made. I could tell within 2 weeks, and now have tried and can no longer stand a cig.

And did I say its WAY much chaeper. It was short of amazing to me considering how long I've smoked. And my wife loves the NO smell.

Anyone interested send me a pm, and I'll tell you what to get and where.

Roy

[corny]

I bought a couple of those smokeless cigs a year or so ago when we were working in a hospital. Think I still have one of them.

Anyhow.... couldnt smoke on their property and those arrogant asses even had some rule about smoking off the property...... like at lunch and then coming back into the hospital....

But...I bought a couple of those things and Id only use them out of view of folks......like ducking into a restroom and taking a couple of hits...or hiding in a dark corner......

[Space Racer]

Not only does it not sound believable, but spending more money on public schools doesn't work. The school systems that receive the most money are usually the ones that perform the worst. Many of the top performing school systems receive the least money.

Government perversely rewards schools for under-performing. When a school performs poorly, government responds by throwing more money at it.

If a school district wants more money, the best way to get it is to perform worse.

[captube]

I stopped smoking cigs about 2 years or so ago and went electric, its called vaping. Now mind you I started smoking at the age of 14 and stopped at 66. I could not believe the difference that this electric vaping made. I could tell within 2 weeks, and now have tried and can no longer stand a cig.

And did I say its WAY much chaeper. It was short of amazing to me considering how long I've smoked. And my wife loves the NO smell.

Anyone interested send me a pm, and I'll tell you what to get and where.

Roy

Glad i started vaping. It was real easy to quit cigs with the vaporizer especially the new equipment that is a big improvement over the gas station e-cigs.

[texas cooler]

Now suppose they do send all that tax money where they say and then the schools spend every last cent. If fewer people continue smoking, less revenue will be brought and and now, OH NO Mr. BILL, we need more money to fund little Johnny's freebies. Now rather than cutting back to live within their budgets, they raise taxes somewhere else because "This is a program that we cannot live without!"

Maybe they should cut the dead wood out of budget before raising any kind of tax but that would be too responsible. In Dallas County the teachers receive credit cards to purchase items for their classes. Several years ago some of them got caught buying items and taking them home, such as big screen tv's and other electronics. (the credit card scandal is quite a way down in the linked article) http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2012/06/texas-educators-sanctioned-in-cheating-scandals-get-hired-other-schools/1339174777.story

[Gib's Son]

I stopped smoking cigs about 2 years or so ago and went electric, its called vaping. Now mind you I started smoking at the age of 14 and stopped at 66. I could not believe the difference that this electric vaping made. I could tell within 2 weeks, and now have tried and can no longer stand a cig.

And did I say its WAY much chaeper. It was short of amazing to me considering how long I've smoked. And my wife loves the NO smell.

Anyone interested send me a pm, and I'll tell you what to get and where.

Roy

One of the fastest growing companies here in Boise is a company that offers "Vapology". They ship all around the country. I do not smoke anymore. I quit that over 15 years ago but continue to eat the darn lozenges like breath mints all day long. Very expensive! Maybe I should look into the elect. cigs....might be cheaper.

I heard that it causes lung problems though, not as bad as cigs, but still. What do you know of that?

[royc]

The only thing I can report is the improvement I have seen so far. I smell better, I taste better. It seems that my respiratory system is better, but in my case hard to tell, I had two back surgeries, the second one went wrong and it had a crippeling effect, I cant stand up straight and cant walk very far without resting every so often. Its kind of like walking up a steep mountain, it strips your strenght. But I seem to be able to breathe easier.

I recomment for anyone that is smoking to try it, you wont believe the change, and if you wanty to quit smoking its a good way to get off the nicotene addiction, for you can choose how much nicotene level you want in the liquid, and you can eventually choose no nictotine, and eventually stop all together.

Roy

[jtrammel]

The only thing I can report is the improvement I have seen so far. I smell better, I taste better. It seems that my respiratory system is better, but in my case hard to tell, I had two back surgeries, the second one went wrong and it had a crippeling effect, I cant stand up straight and cant walk very far without resting every so often. Its kind of like walking up a steep mountain, it strips your strenght. But I seem to be able to breathe easier.

I recomment for anyone that is smoking to try it, you wont believe the change, and if you wanty to quit smoking its a good way to get off the nicotene addiction, for you can choose how much nicotene level you want in the liquid, and you can eventually choose no nictotine, and eventually stop all together.

Roy

Can't pm on my phone for some reason. What kind of vapor cigs are the best. I've tried a couple of the ones sold at convenience stores and don't like the taste of them.

[glennac]

You should all have the determination and resolve like Obama and just quit smoking.

Funny Obama never quit smoking. He just gave up cigarettes. :grin2::bump: Thank you, thank you very much

[captube]

Can't pm on my phone for some reason. What kind of vapor cigs are the best. I've tried a couple of the ones sold at convenience stores and don't like the taste of them.

If you are interested ECF is the leading e cig forum a lot of helpful x-smokers. Join up and ask any question you have and you will get a lot of help.
It sure helped me too quit and i have reduced my nicotine to a very low level already.

[corny]

I would enjoy seeing a 10.00 a cigarette or cigar tax, a 100.00 tax on a pack of cigs, pack of tobacco....pack of cigars......and a 10.00 per beer tax......with maybe a 200.00 tax on a bottle of liquor or wine.

[corny]

I smoke cigs by the way.... red marlboros in a box...

[corny]

However..... I dont drink... or use pills or anything else......though I am considering growing poppys for the opium....

[glennac]

I smoke cigs by the way.... red marlboros in a box...

I knew you did otherwise you would be posting stuff like they ought to put all all the cigarette smokers in wood chippers, etc. That's your solution to those folks who think or do different from you there corny.

Unlike myself who is the example of moderation and civility on this forum and elsewhere. Almost got kicked out of a few rallies because of it. Just kidding here. LOL. Thank you, thank you very much

[Milk man]

Back to the original question. Why is it okay to tax smokers to pay for school?

[tostaos]

tax is tax, what's the friggin difference. Why should you have to pay with income tax for bombs?
When you tie a tax to a specific purpose, you get an easier approval.

[Pete838]

I'm not in favor of any tax meant to regulate or discourage legal, adult behavior because some politician dislikes it, or thinks it is undesirable. Taxes should be direct and apportioned and be for the sole purpose of raising revenue.

[Gib's Son]

It's amazing to me that so many old fish keep biting on the same old shinny lure every time it's tossed into the water. And, there are always a new group of little fishies that have never seen the lure, so they bite.

[tostaos]

I'm not in favor of any tax meant to regulate or discourage legal, adult behavior because some politician dislikes it, or thinks it is undesirable. Taxes should be direct and apportioned and be for the sole purpose of raising revenue.Taxes always have been for raising funds and to regulate markets.

[chaard]

I'm not in favor of any tax meant to regulate or discourage legal, adult behavior because some politician dislikes it, or thinks it is undesirable. Taxes should be direct and apportioned and be for the sole purpose of raising revenue.

Surprised no ones thought of taxing abortions.

[tostaos]

no, there are many how prefer the government involved in personal issues and just flat out prefer to ban it.

[Baycienda]

Every convenience store in Missouri has anti prop B literature. A lot of the convenience stores are saying that a lot of the money raised is going to go to the universities. I believe in a person educating themself but it just seems like taxing people and giving the money to universities is a never ending pit. In my opinion, its just another tax.

[Baycienda]

I'm voting no for Prop B just because it hasn't been clearly stated where the money is going. They say it is going to education, but that is pretty broad. It could be darn near anything. Its kinda like ObamaCare, it still hasn't been clearly stated. Socialism at its finest.

[tostaos]

It could be darn near anything. Its kinda like ObamaCare, it still hasn't been clearly stated. Socialism at its finest.Yeah you are right ObamaCare is a socialist program, like your car insurance.
All pay in to cover one, that is a socialistic concept. Really bad isn't it?

[chaard]

Yeah you are right ObamaCare is a socialist program, like your car insurance.
All pay in to cover one, that is a socialistic concept. Really bad isn't it?

There's a difference. If I don't drive I don't have to buy car insurance. But under Obamacare I have to buy insurance just for breathing.

[newoldtech]

There's a difference. If I don't drive I don't have to buy car insurance. But under Obamacare I have to buy insurance just for breathing.

I think you should have to buy it. Its alot different than car insurance. At some point we all need to use the health care system, so we should all pay toward it. Just because someone thinks they can take a chance and not pay their share is nonsense. If you are walking down the street and have a heart attack, should we just leave you to die in the street? No, you like all the rest will just go to the emergency room and bleed the system. Unless as a society we are willing to turn away people from the emergency rooms then everyone should pay. I would be okay if people signed a waiver saying that dont want to pay for health insurance and you can just let them die if thats what they prefer.

[tostaos]

But under Obamacare I have to buy insurance just for breathing.not true, you can pay the penalty, which is cheaper and then go to the emergency room and bleed the system as mentioned by newoldtech.

[chaard]

I think you should have to buy it. Its alot different than car insurance. At some point we all need to use the health care system, so we should all pay toward it. Just because someone thinks they can take a chance and not pay their share is nonsense. If you are walking down the street and have a heart attack, should we just leave you to die in the street? No, you like all the rest will just go to the emergency room and bleed the system. Unless as a society we are willing to turn away people from the emergency rooms then everyone should pay. I would be okay if people signed a waiver saying that dont want to pay for health insurance and you can just let them die if thats what they prefer.


not true, you can pay the penalty, which is cheaper and then go to the emergency room and bleed the system as mentioned by newoldtech.

But not everyone does have to buy it. Only those that can afford it. Those poor people that show up to the ER for a cold and drain the system will be exempt due to low income.

Plus there are millions of others that are exempt.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/07/09/obamacares-dark-secret-the-individual-mandate-is-too-weak/

[tostaos]

Those poor people that show up to the ER for a cold and drain the system will be exempt due to low income. You would be surprised how many actually are not that poor who show up at the ER

[chaard]

You would be surprised how many actually are not that poor who show up at the ER

Still doesn't apply to everyone. You're sidestepping the issue.

[AStudent]

But not everyone does have to buy it. Only those thst can afford it. Those poor people that show up to the ER for a cold and drain the system will be exempt due to low income.

Plus there are millions of others that are exempt.

http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/07/09/obamacares-dark-secret-the-individual-mandate-is-too-weak/

Those that are poor will be offered a cheaper form of health insurance.

[tostaos]

ObamaCare is not perfect, it's a start. It's full of compromises. Don't forget, there were two parties involved, even one of them tries to make you think it's only a product of the other.

[chaard]

Those that are poor will be offered a cheaper form of health insurance. if you are exempt why would you buy something you didn't have to.

[AStudent]

if you are exempt why would you buy something you didn't have to.

Like I just explained in another thread, many of your poor are that way due to one person in the household being too sick to work.....one income can't afford health insurance for a pre-existing condition, but I bet it can after the pre-existing is taken out of the equation.

[newoldtech]

But not everyone does have to buy it. Only those that can afford it. Those poor people that show up to the ER for a cold and drain the system will be exempt due to low income.

Plus there are millions of others that are exempt.


http://www.forbes.com/sites/aroy/2012/07/09/obamacares-dark-secret-the-individual-mandate-is-too-weak/


I believe every able body person should pay. Whether its the twenty five year old guy who does work and thinks he's invinsible or the twenty five year old who doesn't work and is already sucking the government teet. If they're not working then the government should find some job like cleaning the parks etc. to make them earn their keep. I know someone who is from Russia and he said everyone worked. They found something for everyone to do. I'm not saying I'm for communism but I like the everyone earns their keep part.

[tostaos]

I don't know if that would work in the States. The work ethic is so bad and it would be expensive.

[Milk man]

Employer sponsored health insurance is the reason health care is so expensive.

[tunnel_rat]

Give a Dem. an object, or activity, they will find a way to tax it, and say it's always for the kids. How are those schools and kids doing after 50 yrs. of this horse crap...??? Those tools can't run a successful brothel, much less the greatest country the world has ever seen.